The Kremlin has formally denied any involvement in a series of recent arson attacks targeting properties associated with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This statement follows reports that British security officials are investigating a potential Russian connection to these incidents.
During a press briefing on May 26, 2025, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the allegations, stating, "London tends to suspect Russia of anything bad that happens in the UK. As a rule, all these suspicions are groundless, unsubstantiated and often laughable."
The _Financial Times_ reported, citing unnamed UK government sources, that UK security services were probing Russian links to three arson attacks that occurred between May 8 and 12 in north London. The Associated Press has not independently verified these claims.
None of the incidents resulted in injuries. The attacks targeted a car previously owned by Starmer, damage to the doorway of his former home, and a fire at the entrance of a flat where he once resided. Since his election in July last year, Starmer has moved to the official Downing Street residence with his family.
Authorities have charged three men connected to Ukraine in relation to the fires. Roman Lavrynovych, 21, faces three counts of arson with intent to endanger life, while Petro Pochynok, 34, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, have been charged with conspiracy to commit arson. All are currently held without bail pending a court appearance scheduled for June 6.
While prosecutors have not publicly attributed these attacks to any foreign government, Western officials have previously accused Russia of conducting sabotage and other destabilizing activities across Europe since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
In March 2025, the Associated Press reported nearly 60 incidents across Europe involving cyberattacks, espionage, vandalism, or sabotage linked to Russia or its ally Belarus. The UK's Crown Prosecution Service noted that its Counter Terrorism Division authorised the charges due to concerns of potential state-sponsored threats.
To date, the Metropolitan Police, Starmer’s office, and the UK Foreign Office have declined to comment on the investigation or the Kremlin’s denials.
